News Release

ETA News Release: [10/08/2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

Secretary of Labor Announces Career Voyages Web Site

Electronic tool will help bridge gap between education and workforce skills

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today launched the Career Voyages Web Site at a High School Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The result of collaboration between the Department of Labor and the Department of Education, the web site is part of a larger, more comprehensive effort to link the educational community with the world of work.

“Every worker needs a strong academic foundation in secondary school and an array of alternatives for post-secondary education and training to ensure they gain the skills necessary to succeed in today’s economy,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “Career Voyages helps young people learn about the high growth industries where many opportunities await them, and employers find the skilled workers they need to keep our country strong and competitive.”

The new web site features detailed information about the fastest growing industries and occupations, the skills and education required to prepare for them, job openings by area, and wages, licensing requirements and growth rates for numerous occupations.

Although some career paths described on the web site require a four-year degree, Career Voyages expands post-secondary opportunities to include on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs for skilled trades, and two-year professional degree programs at community colleges that lead to promising careers.

“This groundbreaking web site helps ‘bridge the gap’ between education and employment skills,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “As the 21^st century economy unfolds, education and workforce training must coalesce to provide a continuum of opportunity for America’s youth and transitioning workers to prepare for good jobs at good wages with career pathways.”

Announcement of the Career Voyages web site was made at the Department of Education’s High School Leadership Summit at the Washington Hilton and Towers. Attended by education leaders and educators, the summit increases the visibility of the challenges facing America’s high schools as well as addresses solutions and “next steps” needed to tackle those challenges.

To access Career Voyages, visit www.CareerVoyages.gov.

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